WHEREAS, failure to update our federal immigration system separates

Nebraska families, destabilizes Nebraska communities, and creates

uncertainty, inefficiency, and an unlevel playing field for Nebraska's

businesses and economy; and

WHEREAS, the forced separation of working parents from their

children weakens families and damages society; and

WHEREAS, failure to address the system where it can be fixed - at

the federal level - has left states searching for solutions in ways that

have been costly and divisive.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE ONE HUNDRED

SECOND LEGISLATURE OF NEBRASKA, FIRST SESSION:

1. That the Legislature recommends the following basic principles

as a guide for state and federal policy on immigration:

a. Immigration is a federal policy issue between the United States

Government and other countries - not Nebraska and other countries. The

Legislature urges the Nebraska Congressional Delegation to take action to

create a workable immigration system that upholds our values and moves us

forward;

b. The Legislature respects the rule of law and supports law

enforcement's professional judgment and discretion. Local law enforcement

resources should focus on criminal activities, not civil violations of

federal code;

c. Strong families are the foundation of successful communities.

The Legislature opposes policies that unnecessarily separate families. The

Legislature champions policies that support families and improve the

health, education, and well-being of all Nebraska children;

d. The Legislature acknowledges the important economic role

immigrant Nebraskans play as workers, entrepreneurs, and taxpayers; and

e. Immigration is an important part of our past and our future. As

in the past, immigrants are integrated into communities across Nebraska. We

must adopt a humane approach to this reality, reflecting our values,

history, and spirit of inclusion. The way we treat immigrants will say more

about us as a society and less about our immigrant neighbors. Nebraska

should always be a place that welcomes people of goodwill. Our communities

and our future will be best served by doing so.

2. That the Legislature urgently calls upon the Nebraska

Congressional Delegation and the United States Congress to enact thorough,

commonsense, workable, and humane reforms that reflect the realities of our

country's workforce needs and our families and represent America at its

best.

3. That a copy of this resolution be delivered to the President of

the United States, the Speaker of the United States House of

Representatives, the President of the United States Senate, and each member

of the Nebraska Congressional Delegation.